Best Relatively Inexpensive HD Shotgun?

[Capybara]

I know a little about clays guns but zero about HD shotguns. So I am thinking a pump with an 18" barrel, built-in flashlight and ghost ring sights. What is my best bet without spending a fortune?

[BajaJames83]

Either a 870 or mossberg 500 or 590

[CK_32]

I don't believe any factory pumps or any shotguns come with a flashlight already..

I would say a 500 because they are pretty cheap and throw in a flashlight but ghost rings I think your best bet would be go with a Remington 870 tactical.

And from your post you sound like me the day I decided to get into SGs.. I think you should lurk around a little more really read into what's needed and after owning my 870 with all the fun stuff for a short period of time I still learned a ton..

IMO whats needed is flashlight and extended mag tube and maybe a side saddle. And be done.. I wanted the ghost rings and all that stuff to because it looked bad *** but I read around and unless your shooting slugs for decent range it's a waste and the bead sites do all you need.

Like I said google a few of your questions and if you don't have a for sure answer ask us on here. A few of these guys around here know their stuff. But I'll tell you something I've learned through years of research and thousands of rounds through all types of firearms.. Simple is better.. I've learned and lost good money learning that lesson.. Simpler is better. So don't get caught up in that tacticool mumbo jumbo to impress the fellas on YouTube and Facebook.

And if you stay bead you can swap over to clays and back to HD if you have ghost rings it's going to be pretty hard and you'll look like a noob.

[Mossy Man]

i would say, for HD purposes only, just get the cheapest knock-off you can get.

Examples include: Stevens 320/350 (winchester 1300/ithaca 37 clones), hawk interstate 982 (rem 870 clone), h&r pardner (rem 870 clone).

Most are made in china by norinco, but they at least copied (very well, btw) good models.

Some would say they are even more durable (being made of actual steel instead of the polymers and aluminum most american companies use), but at the very least they would be great workhorses.

Most can also accept many of the aftermarket parts from their respective guns they copy.

Good, solid reliable HD guns that most cost <$200.

I know you'll get the "buy american!" comments here...but you are 100% chance of posting this on a computer/device made outside of the US.

We live in an import nation, so I wouldn't feel too bad about it.

[Capybara]

Good input guys. So the ghost rings are not needed for HD, good to know.

I definitely agree with simple, I don't like a lot of junk hanging off of my guns. My AR has a scope and that's it and my AR pistol has an Aimpoint Pro and a VFG and that's it. No lasers, flashlights or other tacticool doodads. But a flashlight on an HD shotgun makes sense. I would like an SBS for HD but since that is not Cali legal, an 18" barrel wouldn't be too bad.

I have a Ruger Red Label Sporting Clays for busting clays so this shotgun will strictly be for HD. Pumps are lousy for clays and I recall shooting my friend's super light plastic stocked Persuader at the trap range and getting badly cheek slapped, too light and the stock didn't fit.

[zfields]

I personally would never have rings on a HD gun. No reason for them, and just slow you down.

As for cheek slap, that doesnt happen if ya hold the thing tight. I use my persuader for action shooting and it works fine.

[Capybara]

Yeah, this was a few years ago and as I recall, that gun just didn't fit me and I had a difficult time welding my cheek to the stock. The LOP was way too short for me.

[negolien]

Yup IAC HAWK 982s were $199 when I got mine . Stevens also puts out a good cheap HD gun. Not hard to put a side saddle on it and a lights not really a must but not hard to put a forend on it either or just a mount for a light then get a cheap CR123 light like the el-338 type light. Really though I'd not worry about the light to much if it's a bad guy you will know it.

[RayPDA]

IMHO - your best bet would be in finding a used 870 Wingmaster with an 18"-20", plain front bead, elastic shell holder for the stock or a simple side saddle, and a flashlight mount or Surefire front end. Simple, relatively inexpensive, parts always available, easy takedown, lots of aftermarket, good reliability, already broken in and smooth, fit and finish is good, etc...

As far as pumps for the clays sports, the fact that the gun you shot was light and, as you said, did not fit you right, was more the issue than pumps being inherently 'lousy' for clays ...nothing more fun than shuckin' it on Doubles Trap of 5-stand, Sporting, etc. ... there are scores of 870s, Rem 31s and Win Mod 12s setup as target guns that have been, and still are, excellent trap, skeet and sporting guns. Hell, my best doubles scores have been with pumps!

[Colt562]

I have my 870 and love it although looking for a 18 inch barrel

[AAShooter]

The best HD shotgun is the shotgun you have in your hand (and have practiced with) when you need to defend yourself. The rest is details.

[dc2integra]

A maverick 88 is under 200$ and it's a great shotgun.

[Capybara]

As far as pumps for the clays sports, the fact that the gun you shot was light and, as you said, did not fit you right, was more the issue than pumps being inherently 'lousy' for clays ...nothing more fun than shuckin' it on Doubles Trap of 5-stand, Sporting, etc. ... there are scores of 870s, Rem 31s and Win Mod 12s setup as target guns that have been, and still are, excellent trap, skeet and sporting guns. Hell, my best doubles scores have been with pumps!

Yeah, I know, I just prefer O/Us for clays, much easier for follow ups than a pump.

[Atekhed]

H&R Pardner Pump Protector on sale this week at Big5 for $209.00. Sale ends tomorrow (07/15). Just put one on DROS myself.

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/Default.aspx?action=browsepagedetail&storeid=2579857&rapid=1710581&pagenumber=3&listingid=-2060739457

Online reviews are very good. Pretty much except barrels this is direct 870 clone that appears to be better quality than current 870 Express models. Again except for barrels this shotgun will use most any addons for an 870 out there in the market.

Made in China so if that bothers you then you'll probably want to pass on it.

[Mossy Man]

H&R Pardner Pump Protector on sale this week at Big5 for $209.00. Sale ends tomorrow (07/15). Just put one on DROS myself.

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/Default.aspx?action=browsepagedetail&storeid=2579857&rapid=1710581&pagenumber=3&listingid=-2060739457

Online reviews are very good. Pretty much except barrels this is direct 870 clone that appears to be better quality than current 870 Express models. Again except for barrels this shotgun will use most any addons for an 870 out there in the market.

Made in China so if that bothers you then you'll probably want to pass on it.

+1

like i said in my post, i would definitely go for something like this.

I paid $379 for my mossberg 590 two years ago, and I wish I didn't.

It's not a bad shotgun (except for its very limited barrel options) but if I had my knowledge now, I would have skipped it and got a Hawk Interstate 982 they had instead for only $199 and spent the extra $180 on new work pants instead.